Swedish furniture giant IKEA is officially expanding its footprint in the Houston metro area, announcing plans to open a new full-service store in Webster by the summer of 2026. Located at the bustling Center at Baybrook (19801 Gulf Freeway)—just south of the Baybrook Mall and near other retail anchors like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Hobby Lobby—the new IKEA will deliver a modern, affordable shopping experience to thousands of area families.​

Spanning 93,000 square feet, IKEA Webster will offer more than 7,000 products on display, including over 4,800 items available for immediate takeaway and 800 smaller furniture pieces. In addition to the signature self-service warehouse and showroom maze, customers can order larger items, including sofas and beds, for free in-store pickup, affordable home delivery, or online through IKEA’s streamlined e-commerce platform. The Webster location complements Houston’s original IKEA store off Katy Freeway, which has served northwest Houston since 2004. Webster’s new store marks IKEA’s first full-sized expansion in the region in 22 years and its tenth store statewide.​

Design inspiration is front-and-center at IKEA Webster, with an expanded area dedicated to personalized consultation where customers can meet with expert planners for advice on kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and other rooms. Expect thoughtfully curated room vignettes tailored to Houston’s lifestyles and needs. The company is also prioritizing sustainability with its As-is Department, selling gently used and discontinued furniture at reduced prices to promote recycling and eco-friendly home décor.​

And, of course, there will be plenty of Swedish food. IKEA Webster will house a cafeteria-style restaurant stocked with classic offerings like meatballs, plant balls, hot dogs, veggie sandwiches, cinnamon buns, and more—a major draw for families, singles, and food adventurers alike. The Swedish food experience forms part of IKEA’s community approach, ensuring visitors can enjoy casual meals while exploring product displays or shopping for everyday essentials.​

Bringing IKEA closer to Houston’s Bay Area, Clear Lake, and Galveston communities, Webster is strategically positioned to capitalize on the region’s population growth and consumer demand for affordable, modern furniture. Company executives, including U.S. CEO Javier Quiñones, emphasized that the new store reflects IKEA’s goal to make “better living spaces and stylish, sustainable products even more accessible for families across Texas”. The build-out will cost an estimated $16.5M and repurpose a former Bel Furniture and Chair King space.​

The store will also feature digital customer meeting points, bilingual services, family play areas, and links to click-and-collect, pickup locations, and TaskRabbit assembly services. These enhancements are designed to smooth the shopping journey and provide expanded options beyond the standard big blue box experience.

While Webster’s 93,000-square-foot footprint is smaller than the original Katy Freeway location (over 300,000 square feet), the greater focus on immediate takeaway, local design consulting, and community engagement indicates a next-generation retail strategy for IKEA.​

IKEA has committed over $2.2 billion in U.S. store growth through 2026, with plans for continued Texas expansion and new pickup and ordering points in high-demand regions. Texas ranks among IKEA’s fastest-growing markets, with retail and e-commerce outpacing pre-pandemic levels and drawing both repeat and first-time customers to its stores.​

By offering affordable home solutions, beloved Swedish food, and modern design expertise, IKEA Webster aims to become a central part of the Houston shopping landscape—helping local residents furnish homes, apartments, and offices with style and sustainability at the heart of its mission.